Green Tip #2: Green Clean your Kitchen and Bathroom

OK, its time for Green Tip #2!

A few months ago, I noticed that my husband complained of headaches and other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and itchy skin every time we cleaned the house. The girls too seemed to be sniffling and ‘feeling itchy’ just after the house had been cleaned.

This got me thinking … could the cleaning products we were using be making my family sick? I started looking into commonly used cleaning products, and in particular, the ingredients found in these… and here’s what I found.

There is an increasing concern among public health officials that the ingredients in commonly used cleaning products, like ammonia and chlorine bleach, have been linked to serious diseases such as respiratory illnesses including asthma, and even some forms of cancer. Young children are especially vulnerable, since they practically live on the floor, and put everything in their mouths.

Some of these ingredients may be toxic by themselves, but can become deadly when combined with other commonly used cleaners. For example, mixing household bleach with acids like vinegar or drain cleaners, or even lemon juice can release chlorine. Chlorine is a respiratory irritant that attacks mucous membranes and burns the skin. Bleach and ammonia when combined form deadly gases that are extremely irritating to the eyes and lungs and toxic above certain concentrations.

In my research, I came across a paper that described how the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks had successfully switched to environmentally preferable janitorial products. (http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/cleaning.pdf) This paper also lists commonly used chemicals in cleaning products, along with their potential health risks. I’m listing some of common chemicals here.

Ammonia compounds:
Forms irritating cloramine gas when combined with chlorine-containing products. Fumes can cause irritation of the eyes, respiratory tract. Liquid can cause skin burns. Toxic to fish, and reduces oxygen in surface water.
Uses: In many cleaning products, depending on concentration, as antiseptic, bactericide, fungicide, sanitizer, deodorant. Used in detergents as a surfactant. Also found in floor polish, glass window cleaners, household hard surface cleaners, rug and upholstery cleaners.

Chlorine:
Produces toxic chloramine gas when mixed with ammoniated cleaning products. Corrosive to eyes and skin. Fumes are irritating or corrosive to the respiratory tract. Can kill microscopic life in waterways, septic tanks and sewage treatment plants. Toxic to aquatic life
Uses: Bleach, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners, mildew remover, bathroom cleaners, spot removers, or in scouring powders.

Ethanol:
Clear liquid which can be absorbed by inhalation and across skin. Central nervous system depressant. Vapors can produce some eye and upper respiratory tract irritation.
Uses: Detergents, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, air fresheners.

Fragrances - Any of 4,000 chemicals. May cause skin irritation discoloration, rashes or allergic reactions. May be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
Uses: Many cleaning products, either to simulate the scent of “fresh air”, flowers, etc., or to mask odors of other chemicals in the product.

Lye:
Corrosive white crystals or colorless liquid. Liquid may cause severe eye burns or blindness, or skin burns with subsequent tissue scarring. Vapors are irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Aerosol formulations present an inhalation hazard.
Uses: Drain opener, oven cleaner, detergents.

Phosphates - Environmental hazard. Phosphate-containing compounds increase biological oxygen demand in surface water.
Uses: In detergents, bathroom cleaners, floor strippers.

So if most household cleaners are bad for our health, and terrible for the environment, the natural question is, are there safe, yet effective, cleaning alternatives?

Thanks to the increasing awareness of the negative impact of traditionally used cleaning products on our health and the environment among the general public, non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products are now more and more commonly available. It used to be that eco-friendly cleaning products could be found only at natural foods stores like Whole Foods. I have found these products at my local grocery store, as well as the big chains like Kmart and Target. I’ve tested a few brands – Seventh Generation, Method and Clorox Greenworks, but of course this is not a complete list.

Manufacturers of household cleaning products are not required by law to disclose ingredients used in their cleaners. So how do you know a fake ‘natural’ from the real deal? Be wary of products whose names or packaging make them sound or look green. Again, there is no legal definition of the word ‘natural’. This word tends to be loosely used if not outright abused in the food as well as cleaning products industry.

There is an initiative within the EPA to improve the quality of labeling for common household cleaners. Until then, I prefer to vote with my wallet and favor manufacturers that list their ingredients voluntarily. If you don’t know what’s in the product, how do you know whether or not it hazardous to you and your family’s health?

So look for products that do disclose all their ingredients, and look for ingredients like plant based surfactants and essential oils for fragrance rather than synthetic fragrances.

OK, a note on the cost factor. Natural cleaning products do tend to be more expensive than traditional cleaners, but as green becomes more and more mainstream, these products are becoming more affordable and available.

To start out, I bought some of the products at Target and my local grocery store (caution – they are super expensive at the grocery store!) Then, once I had picked the products I wanted to use, I went online and found it much cheaper to buy them in bulk at online retailers like amazon.com.

FYI – most of the products qualify for Amazon Prime, so if you already have Amazon Prime, two-day shipping is free!

As my home’s most cleaned rooms – the kitchen and bathroom were the first targets for natural cleaners.

Kitchen:

Countertops and appliances: Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner or Method All Purpose Cleaner; Method Granite for granite countertops.

Stovetops: Seventh Gen Glass and Surface Cleaner

Tile, linoleum or any non-wood floor: Clorox Greenworks Natural Dilutable Cleaner

Sink: Soapy mix of Seventh Gen Dishwash Liquid and warm water

Disinfectant:

This was a huge issue. In the past, I was the kind of person who would buy antibacterial EVERYTHING. I now keep a spray bottle filled with diluted distilled vinegar and use it as a disinfectant.

(FYI – I also went out and bought a set of those color-coded cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination of foods)

Bathroom:

I use Clorox Natural Bathroom Cleaner for all bathroom surfaces – counters, tub, tiles and showers.

Floor: Clorox Greenworks Natural Dilutable Cleaner

Toilet Bowl: Greenworks Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner Drain Cleaner: Baking soda paste

Window Cleaner: Half distilled vinegar with half water

To learn more

What’s behind the Shine?
Worldwatch Institute article on health and environmental risks of traditional household cleaners

Non-Toxic Home Cleaning
Make your own cleaning products using environmentally safe items

Coming up next!

Green Clean your Living Areas and Laundry Room